The Blue Dot Network certification applies to infrastructure projects across all major infrastructure sectors including energy, water and sanitation, transport and ICT. It can accommodate projects at different stages of the life cycle, from planning and preparation to construction and operations.
Projects developed under a variety of ownership and delivery models (e.g. traditional procurement, public-private partnerships, privatised) can be certified.
The BDN certification framework does not create a new standard, but consolidates and synthesises over 80 international standards and frameworks that are relevant for infrastructure investment. It thus aims to assist contracting authorities and project developers in developing projects that are aligned with widely-agreed and recognised international standards, such as the G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment, the IFC Performance Standards, the Equator Principles, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, among others.
The framework was co-created by the member governments and the OECD with extensive input from the private sector, civil society, trade unions, and academia. It was piloted on a number of projects to ensure that it was fit-for-purpose across a range of asset types and at different stages in the life cycle.
The framework is organised around ten BDN elements which establish a shared understanding among stakeholders on the basic dimensions of quality infrastructure projects. Each BDN element contains a number of themes, criteria and project-level requirements.
1
Promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development
2
Promote market-driven and private sector-led investment, supported by judicious use of public funds
3
Support sound public financial management, debt transparency, and project-level and country-level debt sustainability
4
Build projects that are resilient to climate change, disasters, and other risks, and aligned with the pathways towards 2050 net-zero emissions needed to keep global temperature change of 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach
5
Ensure value-for-money over an asset’s full life-cycle cost
6
Build local capacity, with a focus on local skills transfer and local capital markets
7
Promote protections against corruption, while encouraging transparent procurement and consultation processes
8
Uphold international best practices of environmental and social safeguards, including respect for labour and human rights
9
Promote the non-discriminatory use of infrastructure service
10
Advance inclusion for women, people with disabilities, and underrepresented and marginalised groups
1
Promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development
2
Promote market-driven and private sector-led investment, supported by judicious use of public funds
3
Support sound public financial management, debt transparency, and project-level and country-level debt sustainability
4
Build projects that are resilient to climate change, disasters, and other risks, and aligned with the pathways towards 2050 net-zero emissions needed to keep global temperature change of 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach
5
Ensure value-for-money over an asset’s full life-cycle cost
6
Build local capacity, with a focus on local skills transfer and local capital markets
7
Promote protections against corruption, while encouraging transparent procurement and consultation processes
8
Uphold international best practices of environmental and social safeguards, including respect for labour and human rights
9
Promote the non-discriminatory use of infrastructure service
10
Advance inclusion for women, people with disabilities, and underrepresented and marginalised groups
In order to be certified projects need to fulfil a core set of essential requirements across all 10 BDN elements. The essential requirements are derived from commonly-applied international standards such as the IFC Performance Standards.
A Blue Dot certification designates a quality project that is environmentally and socially sustainable, robust, resilient, transparent and efficient.
The certification is designed to incentivise a race-to-the-top by recognising progressively higher levels of quality infrastructure. Projects that exceed the essential requirements either by aligning with more ambitious standards or incorporating innovative practices that generate a strong positive impact may receive two or three Blue Dots.
Projects submit an application by completing the online application form.
Project applicants perform a self-assessment against BDN criteria using an assessment template. As part of the self-assessment, projects submit evidence in the form of documentation and/or data.
An independent third-party certification entity reviews the self-assessment and verifies whether the evidence supports the claims being made. The verifier may request additional information from the applicant.
On the basis of the results of the verification, the certification body determines whether or not to award the project a Blue Dot certification.
Certified projects will be subject to streamlined annual monitoring in order to track any material issues or changes that could affect the status of the certification.
Project must apply for a renewal of the certification within five years. Projects that are awarded a certification before initiation of operations must apply for renewal within two years after operations begin.
The Blue Dot Network works with three leading global certification bodies to ensure independent, expert and evidence-based verification of project submissions.
To be considered for Blue Dot Network certification, projects should first apply by providing some basic information through the expression of interest form.
Applicants considered for certification will be invited to perform a self-assessment based on a template provided by the Secretariat.